Time controlled switch actuating mechanism



Dec. 9, 1952 2. R. KECK 2,620,871

TIME. CONTROLLED swrrcu ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 18, 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET l ,I tig l. Q

Zack 7?. ll eck INVENTOH I 1 BY I l A ATTORNEYS Dec. 9, 1952 2. R. KECK 2,620,871

TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 18, 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Ir/g. 2/.

m J f I18 7; 6 5; LQ g J" [3 Zac/f ,Q/rec/b INVENTOR 3 E 7 l I I I ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 9, 1952 TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH AOTUATI-NG MECHANISM Zack R. Keck, Strathmore, Calif.

Application September 18, 1951, Serial No. 247,055

(Cl. 16l--1) Claims.

This invention relates to a time controlled mechanism designed primarily for use in operating the starting and/or stopping switches of conventional electrically operated motor pumps.

An object of the invention is to provide an attachment which may be readily and easily mounted adjacent to either a starting or stopping switch of motor operated pumps or the like to either start or stop the same at a predetermined time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a time controlled operating means located adjacent to a starting or stopping switch for operating such switch after a predetermined interval.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an instrument panel having a push-button switch mounted thereon and showing a clock mounted thereon equipped with a push-button actuating means embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the switch actuating means in switch operating position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating a successive position of the push-button switch actuating means.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the panel, clock, and actuating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicates a switch supporting panel on which the push-button switch .6 is mounted, the push-button switch 6 controlling the circuit to a conventional turbine pump motor or the like, not shown, through the wires 7.

Mounted on the panel 5 is a bracket 8 which embodies a length of strap metal material bent to provide legs 9 which are secured to the panel 5 by means of screws It.

Formed in the bracket between the legs 9 are spaced key-hole slots I l arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, which key-hole slots receive headed attaching screws 12 that are secured to the case of a clock 13, so that by positioning the headed attaching screws in the large ends of the key-hole slots H, and moving the clock longitudinally of the bracket in one direction, the headed attaching screws will move into contracted portions of the key-hole slots, removably but securely holding the clock adjacent to the push-button switch 6.

The clock 13 is of any suitable alarm clock construction andis provided with the usual alarm winding shaft or stem [4, which when the alarm is operated rotates rapid1y,.or any other rotatable shaft rotated after a predetermined interval measured by the clock. Secured to the alarm spring winding stem 14, is the arm 15 which extends transversely of the alarm spring winding stem, the ends of the arm l5 terminating substantial distances beyond the edge of the alarm spring winding stem 14, as clearly shown by the drawings.

Extending downwardly from the arm i5 and disposed at one end thereof, is a stop pin it. The opposite end of the arm [5 has pivotal connection with a link [1, that in turn has pivotal connection with a switch actuated arm [8, at It. Theopposite end of the switch actuating arm [8 is pivotally mounted on the clock, by means of the pivot 20, in adjacent relation to the shaft l4 and to the push-botton switch 6 for reciprocal movement toward and from the switch.

This switch actuated arm 18 is formed with threaded openings 2| in which a threaded shank 22 is secured, the threaded shank 22 having a head 23 that is adapted to move into contact with the push-button switchfi actuating the push-button switch 6 in response to movement of the actuating arm toward the switch in a manner soon to be described.

By moving the threaded shank 22 within its opening, it is obvious that the length of the threaded shank extending beyond the lower edge of the switch actuating arm I 8, may be varied, to effect proper switch actuation.

A look nut 24 is mounted on the threaded sh ank 22 and serves to secure the threaded shank in its positions of adjustment. By moving the threaded shank to alternate positions in the spaced threaded openings 2|, the threaded shank may be selectively positioned longitudinally of the switch actuating arm [8 to adapt the device to a particular switch location.

It might be stated that these push button starting and stopping switches are used in starting and stopping the electric motors used in operating turbine pumps and the like, not shown, employed in pumping water through irrigating ditches and are so arranged with respect to the electric circuits to the motors, that if the current supplied to the motors is temporarily cut oil the motors will not operate until the starting switch has been operated.

This is important since the power current frequently is cut oil for short periods, whereupon the turbine pumps are rotated in the reverse direction due to back pressure of water, and it will be seen that if the current through the motors operating these pumps should be permitted to flow to the motors while the pumps are rotating in a reverse direction, serious damage may result due to force directed to the pump shaft in opposite directions. This action frequently results in a twisting of the power shaft, or the blowing of fuses and the burning out of motors.

In the operation of applicants time controlled switch-button mechanism the clock [3 is set for operation at a predetermined time, the position of the switch actuating arm I8, link I! and arm l being as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

When the alarm mechanism is tripped in the usual and well-known manner, the shaft [4 rotates counter-clockwise as viewed in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The arm l5 swings toward the panel 5, moving the actuating arm I8 toward the switch l0, and urging the shank 22 toward the pushbutton to cause the head 23 to press the pushbutton inwardly. It is obvious that upon further rotation of the arm I5, the arm 18 is withdrawn to a retracted position, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, in which position the stop pin l6 has moved into engagement with the link 11 preventing further movement of the arm [5 or the actuating arm l8. In using the device, it is obvious that the motor operated pumps used in supplying water to irrigating ditches and other electrically operated means employing starting and stopping switches may be started and/or stopped at any time without the necessity of an attendant.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. The combination with a push button switch, of an electric circuit, of a timecontrolled switch actuating means comprising a bracket disposed adjacent to the push button switch, a clock having a rotatable alarm spring winding stem, an arm secured to said stem, a switchactuating arm pivoted to the clock. a threaded shank having a head adjustably mounted on the switch actuating arm adapted to engage the push button switch operating said push button switch, and a link connecting one end of said arm secured to the winding stem adapted to swing the switch actuating arm operating said push button switch as said winding stem rotates in one direction.

2. The combination with a push button switch, of a time controlled push button switch actuating means comprising a bracket, mounted adjacent to the push button switch, a clock having an alarm spring winding shaft removably mounted on the bracket, a transversely disposed arm mounted on said winding shaft, a link pivotally connected to one end of said arm, a switch actuating arm pivotally mounted on the clock to which said link is pivotally connected, a shank extending from the switch actuating arm adapted to move into engagement with said push button switch operating the switch, and said switch actuating arm adapted to swing away from said switch releasing said switch, upon further movement of said shaft and link.

3. The combination with a push button switch, a time controlled switch actuating mechanism comprising a bracket mounted adjacent the push button switch, a clock removably mounted on the bracket, said clock having a time controlled rotatable shaft extending beyond one surface of the clock, a transversely disposed arm secured to the end of the shaft at a point intermediate the ends of said arm, a link pivotally connected with one end of said tranversely disposed arm, said link being of a length substantially longer than said arm, a stop pin extending from the opposite end of said arm and lying in the path of travel of said link providing a stop against which said link engages stopping rotation of said shaft, a switch actuating arm pivotally mounted on said surface of said clock and to which said link is pivotally connected moving said switch actuating arm toward said switch as said shaft and link rotate, and a member connected with said switch actuating arm engageable with said push button switch operating said push button switch and said actuating arm then moving to release said push button switch.

4. The combination with a push button switch and switch panel on which said switch is mounted, of a time controlled switch actuating mechanism comprising a bracket mounted on and spaced from said panel adjacent said push button switch, a clock removably connected with said bracket, said clock having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom, an arm secured intermediate its ends to the end of said rotatable shaft. a link pivotally connected with one end of said arm, a pin extending from the opposite end of said arm engageable with said link as said shaft and arm rotate, stopping rotation of said arm and movement of said link, a switch operating arm pivotally mounted on the surface of said clock, means for pivotally connecting one end of said switch actuating arm with one end of said link whereby rotary movement of said shaft and link moves said switch actuating arm, and an adjustable shank mounted on said switch acutating arm in alignment with said push button switch adapted to operate said push butt-on switch on movement of the switch actuating arm, and immediately releasing said switch upon return movement of said switch actuating arm.

5. The combination with a push button switch, of a time controlled switch actuating mechanism comprising a clock mounted adjacent said push button switch, said clock having a time controlled rotatable shaft extending therefrom, a switch actuating arm pivotally mounted on a surface of the clock, a link pivotally connected with one end of said arm, means for connecting said rotatable shaft and link whereby rotary movement of said shaft oscillates said switch actuating arm toward and from the push button switch, means extending from said switch actuating arm engageable with said push button switch upon one movement of the switch actuating arm operating said push button switch and releasing said push button switch upon return movement of said switch actuating arm, and means for stopping rotation of said shaft following the return movement of the switch actuating arm.

ZACK R. KECK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 870,404 Wood Nov. 5, 1907 1,161,068 Murray Nov. 23, 1915 1,221,216 Pyper Aprl3, 1917 1,678,217 Gonsett July 24, 1928 1,705,985 Lovering Mar. 19, 1929 1,795,234 Rudler Mar. 3, 1931 2,039,194 Simon Apr. 28, 1936 2,200,092 Madison May 7, 1940 2,460,495 Elrick Feb. 1, 1949 

